Posted on 11/14/2009, 10:35 am, by mySteinbach

International students contribute over $74 million to the Manitoba economy while fostering cross-cultural friendship and economic opportunities between the province and the world, Advanced Education and Literacy Minister Diane McGifford, minister responsible for international education; Labour and Immigration Minister Jennifer Howard; and Manitoba Council for International Education president Garry Dyck announced.
 
To help Manitobans appreciate these benefits, the provincial government and the Manitoba Council for International Education (MCIE) are proud to support International Education Week from Nov. 16 to 20, the three said.  International Education Week is celebrated in over 85 countries.
 
“International education enhances cultural understanding, broadens the scope of learning for all students and helps develop trade opportunities and partnerships that add to Manitoba’s multiculturalism,”  McGifford said. “International students contribute to our economic well‑being and community development.”
 
“Manitoba’s diverse history combined with the tripling of new immigrants over the past decade mean we already have a multicultural environment that international students find welcoming,” said Howard.  “Some students choose to make this province their permanent home, while others return to their countries of origin across the globe as goodwill ambassadors for Manitoba.”
 
“The number of international students in Canada has more than doubled since 1998 – but as their numbers grow, so does competition to attract them to different jurisdictions,” Dyck said.  “MCIE was created in 2000 to encourage more students to choose Manitoba as their international education destination, and we hope to see the international student population continue to grow over the coming years.”
 
MCIE is a not-for-profit organization comprising 27 member institutions, ranging from elementary to post-secondary level, public and private, in both rural and urban areas.
 
Members share resources and information, collaborate on joint marketing initiatives and advocate for international education.  MCIE’s members work with the Manitoba and federal governments to streamline the issue of study permits and monitor market trends; they also help international students gain valuable work experience during their study term, which in turn helps local employers meet labour market needs.
 
The number of international students in Manitoba has grown to 4,815 in 2006 from 2,380 in 2000, a 102 per cent increase, the largest percentage increase of all Canadian provinces during this time period.
 
More information can be found at www.education-excellence.ca.
 
For more information about MCIE, visit www.mcie.ca.